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Belfast Telegraph RSS FeedNorthern Ireland says yes to same-sex marriage, latest polling finds35281876http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-says-yes-to-samesex-marriage-latest-polling-finds-35281876.html
The Northern Ireland public would vote overwhelmingly in favour of same-sex marriage, the latest Lucid Talk tracker poll has found.Northern IrelandFri, 09 Dec 2016 15:34:00 +0000If you want to give money to beggars, then that's nobody's business but your own35279231http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/fionola-meredith/if-you-want-to-give-money-to-beggars-then-thats-nobodys-business-but-your-own-35279231.html
It's supposed to be the season of goodwill to all men - gifts, generosity and general ho-ho-ho - but we mustn't give a festive fiver to people begging on the streets. According to homelessness charities like Depaul and the Welcome Organisation, most beggars are addicts and giving them money may fuel their addiction. And besides, a great many street beggars - an estimated 80% - are not actually homeless anyway. "Giving to people who beg is not a benign act without consequences," the charities say.Fionola MeredithFri, 09 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Could 1983 Brian Stack murder signal final act in Adams' long career?35279766http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/could-1983-brian-stack-murder-signal-final-act-in-adams-long-career-35279766.html
Hopes that Gerry Adams might be on the verge of resigning to spend more time with his teddy bears were quickly dashed on Wednesday when the Sinn Fein leader stood up in the Dail to make a much-anticipated personal statement.News AnalysisFri, 09 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Victims like Austin Stack deserve truth35280326http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/editors-viewpoint/victims-like-austin-stack-deserve-truth-35280326.html
To paraphrase Gerry Adams himself, the past hasn't gone away, you know. That is thanks to courageous men like Austin Stack, whose prison officer father Brian was killed by the IRA in Dublin in 1983 and who branded the Sinn Fein leader a liar in an angry exchange yesterday.Editor's ViewpointFri, 09 Dec 2016 10:00:00 +0000Kim Kardashian style waning: I'm flabbergasted at degree of crass sexism shown by Queen's University of Belfast35279882http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/kim-kardashian-style-waning-im-flabbergasted-at-degree-of-crass-sexism-shown-by-queens-university-of-belfast-35279882.html
If it wasn't for the reference to Kim K you'd have thought Queen's had fallen into a time warp. "Think Grace Kelly, not Kim Kardashian" - that was one of the university's unsolicited "style tips" to female graduands. News AnalysisFri, 09 Dec 2016 07:40:00 +0000Bah Humbug! Ban on Santa's sweet-throwing is ridiculous35280340http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/editors-viewpoint/bah-humbug-ban-on-santas-sweetthrowing-is-ridiculous-35280340.html
Health and safety - or should that be elf and safety - concerns have stopped Santa and his little helpers throwing sweets into the crowd at many council tree lighting ceremonies. Instead, Santa insists the children line up in orderly fashion to be handed their treat.Editor's ViewpointFri, 09 Dec 2016 11:00:00 +0000Boris Johnson's Saudi Arabia comments slapped down by PM but Hillary Clinton, German intelligence and the UN expressed similar views35279794http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/boris-johnsons-saudi-arabia-comments-slapped-down-by-pm-but-hillary-clinton-german-intelligence-and-the-un-expressed-similar-views-35279794.html
Boris Johnson has been slapped down by Theresa May for his comments on Saudi Arabia's role in the Middle East but the UK Foreign Secretary isn't the first to express such sentiments.News AnalysisThu, 08 Dec 2016 19:52:25 +0000The rebels of Aleppo, Syria are no heroes35279325http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/robert-fisk/the-rebels-of-aleppo-syria-are-no-heroes-35279325.html
I’ve just spent hours watching footage of the siege. The pictures are familiar: planes fall like vultures through the sky and buildings are blown apart, children are brought to hospitals covered in blood, bodies are buried in shallow graves, hospitals themselves are repeatedly bombed, entire districts of the city turned to rubble, civilians flee their homes amid burning buildings.Robert FiskThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:23:44 +0000For some, the RPG-7 was once icon of 'armed struggle' - now it's a symbol of its futility35277053http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/for-some-the-rpg7-was-once-icon-of-armed-struggle-now-its-a-symbol-of-its-futility-35277053.html
There is an urban legend on Belfast's Shankill Road, relating to the first time members of the UDA's so-called "C" Company test-fired their first-ever rocket propelled grenade. In the early-1990s, when Johnny Adair's terror unit was causing mayhem and murder all over greater Belfast and beyond, members of his notorious unit took the RPG weapon to the peace wall dividing the left-hand side of the Shankill from the Falls.News AnalysisThu, 08 Dec 2016 09:24:00 +0000If Sinn Fein cares about imbalance in the PSNI, why not begin with lack of working-class Protestants?35277363http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/nelson-mccausland/if-sinn-fein-cares-about-imbalance-in-the-psni-why-not-begin-with-lack-of-workingclass-protestants-35277363.html
Earlier this year, I was appointed to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, and it has been an interesting six months. For each of the board meetings, members can submit written questions for the Chief Constable, and they receive written answers that are tabled at the meeting.Nelson McCauslandThu, 08 Dec 2016 09:23:00 +0000Enough talk, victims deserve some action35277368http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/editors-viewpoint/enough-talk-victims-deserve-some-action-35277368.html
The Irish Government is right. Those who lost loved ones in the Troubles have been let down for far too long and their hope of ever getting the truth about the killings, never mind justice, continues to ebb away. The Fresh Start agreement signed a year ago promised the establishment of institutions to delve into the awful legacy of the past, but to date nothing has happened.Editor's ViewpointThu, 08 Dec 2016 09:22:00 +0000It’s simple - do you believe Mr ‘I wasn’t in the IRA’ or don’t you?35277356http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/its-simple-do-you-believe-mr-i-wasnt-in-the-ira-or-dont-you-35277356.html
It's not a particularly tough call, this one. We are being asked to choose between Austin Stack, son of murdered prison officer Brian Stack, and one Gerard Adams, president of Sinn Féin.News AnalysisThu, 08 Dec 2016 08:05:00 +0000Father would be so proud of his twins' charity appeal 35277352http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/editors-viewpoint/father-would-be-so-proud-of-his-twins-charity-appeal-35277352.html
There are many demands on our charity from deserving causes but it would be a hard heart which is not moved by the appeal by twins Amy and Liam Murray for donations to the Cancer Focus Christmas appeal. Having lost their father Liam to cancer six years ago, they know the value of the services offered by the organisation. Cancer is expected to hit one in two people in the coming years and there will be many households with empty chairs this Christmas because of the disease. Liam was only 31 when he died leaving his wife with the three-year-old twins. She is delighted the children are fronting the appeal for donations. Editor's ViewpointThu, 08 Dec 2016 11:00:00 +0000If McGuinness is so glad the Pope is visiting, why won't he listen to his position on abortion?35272885http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/if-mcguinness-is-so-glad-the-pope-is-visiting-why-wont-he-listen-to-his-position-on-abortion-35272885.html
We are blessed with pastors like the Rev John Dunlop, who can give a loving Christian message that can ignite an enthusiastic response from the many different shades of Christian belief in Northern Ireland. His initial encouragement of, and welcome for, a papal visit on the BBC's Sunday Sequence programme was a good scene-setter that has had a welcome impact.News AnalysisWed, 07 Dec 2016 10:16:00 +0000